Neid content with Germany's draw

Friday 9 November 2012 20.37 CET

Germany coach Silvia Neid told UEFA.com the UEFA Women's EURO reigning champions were looking forward to locking horns with long-time rivals Norway in Group B. Neid won two European titles as a player by defeating Norway in the final, and called the nations' final group game in Kalmar on 17 July "a classic". The title holders begin their quest for a sixth successive continental crown in Växjo on 11 July against the Netherlands, whose coach Roger Reijners was philosophical about facing Neid's star-studded side first.

Silvia Neid, Germany coachI think all three groups are very evenly-balanced, and they're going to be exciting. I don't think you can clearly say which team will be first and which will be second in each group. It's a good draw. We're up against Norway again in the group, it's becoming something of a classic. They'll have a new coach in January. They are a top team with great players, they'll come into the tournament with fresh motivation and will be a tough opponent for us.

Heide Støre, Norwegian Football Association head of women's footballIt's a good draw for us. Germany are the strongest team, but we like to play them, Iceland too. We played them twice in qualifying, they're a team which battles, a good team. Then we have the Netherlands, we played them two years ago, drawing one match and winning the other. They're a good team. It's perfect for us. This is the final tournament, you need to be at your best, do your best, otherwise you're out. So we're very satisfied.

Roger Reijners, Netherlands coachIt's a tough group, because we have the first game against Germany, one of the best teams in the world. The other teams are good. I've seen them play, so it's going to be tough. It's not an issue that we're playing Germany first. It is like it is. We're playing Germany first, and we have to focus on that.

Siggi Eyjólfsson, Iceland coachI'm very pleased with the draw. They are all tough teams, they are all tough teams in the other groups as well. I think we have a chance against Norway and the Netherlands. They've been equal games when we've played against them a couple of times in the last few years, and we have an equal chance at least against those teams. Germany, obviously, it is always going to be tough, they are legends in this tournament. It will be a great occasion for us to play them, a great challenge. I think we put pressure on ourselves, we want to do better than last time obviously, we lost all the games. But last time we were in the toughest group as well with Germany, Norway and France, but I think we have a better chance now and we have a better team.